David Livermore

David Livermore is a thought leader in cultural intelligence (CQ) and global leadership and the author of "Leading with Cultural Intelligence". He is president and partner at the Cultural Intelligence Center in East Lansing, Michigan and a visiting research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

22 Nov 2017

Clashing expectations are the main source of conflict in almost any relationship. And nowhere is that more true than on diverse teams, where intercultural challenges mean that the potential for misalignment is even greater.

16 May 2017

Companies are chasing diverse candidates. But how can those candidates use cultural intelligence to help them find the kind of employer who will include their perspectives as a critical part of their strategy rather than using them to up their diversity counts?

12 Dec 2016

Different cultures appear to have very different ways of showing emotion and managing feelings. But in reality we all have much more in common than meets the eye when it comes to how we handle some key human emotions.

07 Nov 2016

16 Sep 2016

Too many diversity initiatives fail because they’re based on a punitive, ‘shame on you’ posture. What we need is a strategic, hope-filled approach emphasizing what we all gain from more diverse and inclusive workplaces and communities.

23 Aug 2016

Working with people from a diverse range of backgrounds is rewarding, but it can also be tough going. And the more you’re under stress, the harder it becomes and the more a small behavioral difference can become a major irritation.

18 May 2016

Fusion cooking is a great metaphor for bringing out the best from a multicultural team because it combines ingredients from different cultural traditions while preserving distinct cultural flavors and traditions.

18 Apr 2016

I’m a big advocate of getting to know a culture up close and moving beyond surface-level encounters. But I’m beginning to think that I ought to give up some of the cultural experiences I’d like to have because they may do more harm than good.

10 Dec 2015

Giving undue attention to negative feelings shrinks your world and your breadth of perspective. Focus on the positive and you’ll expand your view. This is the power of attention. And in culturally diverse teams, it’s absolutely critical.

12 Nov 2015

One of the biggest frustrations when working across cultures is a different sense of urgency, follow-through, and deadlines. Whatever your relationship with time, here are some guidelines to address this challenge.

20 Oct 2015

When I’m travelling, I’m routinely given the best places to sit in restaurants, granted access to exclusive lounges I haven’t paid for and escorted round queues simply because I’m a well-dressed, white American male.

23 Sep 2015

Diversity of thought, work style, function and age are all important forms of difference. But not all diversity is equal. The two types of diversity that matter most are visible diversity and under-representation.

07 Jul 2015

Whether it’s expanding in emerging markets, avoiding an embarrassing cultural faux pas, or attracting best talent, the ability to work effectively across cultures addresses a burgeoning number of organizational concerns.

11 May 2015

Regardless of the cultural context, the objective in negotiation is to reach an agreement that mutually satisfies both parties’ interests. Accomplishing that across cultures requires a high level of cultural intelligence.

16 Feb 2015

Cross-cultural communication can be fraught with difficulties. And few things demonstrate cultural intelligence more strongly than being able to tell when a problem is cultural and when it’s not - and then deciding how to respond.

13 Jan 2015

There are no easy answers to the hatred and rage that drives someone to kill a fellow human begin in cold blood simply because they disagree with them. So what is a culturally intelligent response to the horrific events in Paris last week?

20 Oct 2014

I’m often asked, “isn’t cultural intelligence basically a matter of respect?” But the trouble is that we can’t always judge people's intent through their behavior. And moreover, the greater the cultural distance, the more likely your respect won’t be interpreted as such.

Gary Sheard

Marshall Goldsmith

Don Peppers and Martha Rogers

Olav Massen, Chris Matts, Chris Geary

More from David

12 Sep 2014

We’re all biased. But an awareness of these biases doesn’t automatically lead to change or stop them creeping into everyday decisions. If you want to navigate through cultural situations with both respect and effectiveness, you need a plan to improve your cultural intelligence.

15 Aug 2014

One of the biggest causes of misunderstandings and conflict in multicultural teams is the difference between direct and indirect communication styles. So how can those who like to get straight to the point work harmoniously with others who expect issues to be addressed more subtly?

09 Jun 2014

It's been said that "international travelers are like dogs in an art museum. They see everything and appreciate nothing." But it doesn’t have to be like that. Here are 10 ways to improve your travel experiences.

13 May 2014

Reflection is a powerful tool for self-improvement. Sitting still and giving yourself time to think can help you get smarter, healthier and more productive. It can even help you improve your cultural intelligence.

14 Apr 2014

As we know, travel broadens the mind. And according to a new study, adapting to and learning about new cultures can also boost your job prospects But it's important to note that not all travel experiences are created equal!

24 Mar 2014

Yes. You heard us right. Because 'customer service' can mean different things to different people. So what might seem like good customer service when viewed from one cultural perspective can actually be harmful in another.

19 Feb 2014

British banker Anton Casey ought to know all about cultural intelligence. His lack of it saw him flee Singapore after making spectacularly insensitive comments about his adopted home. But beyond the stupidity of one man, the point is that CQ is more than just a "nice-to-have".

14 Jan 2014

Whatever culture you're operating in, small talk matters. In fact your overall likeability and trustworthiness is more likely to be based on what you say in the elevator or over lunch than what you say in a formal meeting.

07 Nov 2013

Being culturally intelligent doesn't mean you need to be a cultural chameleon. In fact retaining our differences can actually make us stronger, and trying to adapt to another culture is sometimes inauthentic or even insulting.

15 Oct 2013

Hierarchy-agnostic, fast, autonomous and risk-taking, Facebook is also the first Millennial-run company in the Fortune 500. So how it approaches leadership development today is how others will approach it tomorrow.

12 Sep 2013

The World isn't flat. So leadership can't be just about the values and style of the leader. To lead successfully across cultures and break the ties of ethnocentricity requires a real understanding of the values and preferences of followers.

17 Jun 2013

You can tell a lot about someone's level of cultural intelligence (CQ) by what they say and how they say it and whether they adjust the way they speak in light of the people with whom they're communicating.